Why You Should Replace Your Toothbrush Every 3 Months And What Happens If You Don’t

Spaces between the teeth are harder to reach when the bristles of the toothbrush are no longer straight or are broken

Once exposed, our toothbrush turns into a breeding ground for plaque

Bleeding gums and sensitive teeth may happen because of a bad toothbrush

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. Here the reasons why you should replace your toothbrush regularly:

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Better Cleaning

Spaces between the teeth are harder to reach when the bristles of the toothbrush are no longer straight or are broken. Bacteria collect in these areas of your mouth and may lead to infection if not properly scraped off. To avoid this, change your toothbrush immediately when the bristles get visibly frayed.

Avoids Reinfection

It is important to change your toothbrush after suffering from an illness like cold or flu. Pathogenic organisms inhibit a sick person’s toothbrush, which can cause reinfection. Even with washing, viruses and bacteria can still live free on the bristles. Keep your toothbrush in upright position when stored to air dry the bristles. This way, bacteria cannot replicate on the bristles.

Lesser Dental Costs

Many of us are taking our toothbrush for granted. Not cleaning and disinfecting them give easy access to bacteria and other pathogens. Once exposed, our toothbrush turns into a breeding ground for plaque. The plaque can stick to our teeth and erode the enamel and lead to teeth ache and even teeth loss, so commit to the replacement rule to avoid the extra cost of losing teeth.

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Avoids Gum Problems

Bleeding gums and sensitive teeth may happen because of a bad toothbrush. Try replacing your toothbrush with a soft-bristled one that is not harsh. They can flex and bend on your teeth, which gives better cleaning power. Angled bristles provide impressive cleaning power so you may check on those.

Making your teeth squeaky clean does not only require frequent brushing. Remeber that it also entails use of a good and fresh toothbrush.